Article
Clinical Neurology
Jelena Bakusic, Manosij Ghosh, Andrea Polli, Bram Bekaert, Wilmar Schaufeli, Stephan Claes, Lode Godderis
Summary: The study revealed that job stress was associated with increased levels of cortisol and cortisone in burnout participants. Changes in DNA methylation of the NR3C1 and SLC6A4 genes were observed in burnout individuals, and some of these methylation changes correlated with burnout symptoms. Increased methylation in a specific CpG in the SLC6A4 gene moderated the association between job stress and burnout, while DNA methylation in this CpG was also associated with increased cortisol levels. Furthermore, average methylation of NR3C1 was negatively associated with cortisone levels.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Linda Garvert, Kevin Kirchner, Hans J. Grabe, Sandra Van der Auwera
Summary: Recent GWAS have found many single nucleotide polymorphisms that affect depressive disorders, suggesting that depression is a heterogeneous disorder influenced by numerous genetic variants with small effect sizes. However, there is limited understanding of the interaction between different genetic risk factors. This study used a genome-wide gene-gene interaction approach and identified a significant interaction effect between the DPF1 gene and the 5-HTTLPR gene on lifetime depression. DPF1, previously not associated with depressive disorders, is expressed exclusively in the brain and plays a major role in neuronal development and neuroplasticity.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eric M. Schoenfeld, Nishant K. Gupta, Shariful A. Syed, Anna Rozenboym, Sasha L. Fulton, Andrea P. Jackowski, Tarique D. Perera, Jeremy D. Coplan
Summary: The study suggests that bonnet macaques reared under stress, carrying the ?s?-allele and having smaller adolescent hippocampal volume, exhibit reduced neurogenesis in adulthood. The positive impact of ipsilateral hippocampal volume on neurogenesis levels was observed.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rebeca Monica Ramirez-Armas, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Juan Carlos Olivas-Chavez, Rosa Martha Covarrubias-Carrillo, Maria Calixta Martinez-Vazquez, Joel Monarrez-Espino, Anayantzin E. Ayala-Haro, Claudia Vanessa Serrano-Amaya, Ivan Delgado-Enciso, Iram Pablo Rodriguez-Sanchez, Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro
Summary: This study examined the association between the 5-HTTLPR gene variant and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. The results showed that the S/S genotype reduced the probability of developing pre-eclampsia and pre-eclampsia with severity criteria. This suggests that the 5-HTTLPR gene variant of the SLC6A4 gene modifies the risk of pre-eclampsia development.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kuniyuki Nishina, Qiulu Shou, Hidehiko Takahashi, Masamichi Sakagami, Miho Inoue-Murayama, Haruto Takagishi
Summary: The Ultimatum Game has been used to measure behavioral responses to unfair distribution. Recent studies have focused on the role of the serotonin transporter gene in these responses, but most of these studies have been conducted on non-Asians without confirming whether similar results can be seen in other ethnic groups. It has also been found that behavioral responses to unfair distribution are not limited to victims themselves but also extend to third parties. This study aimed to replicate previous findings in an Asian population and explore the relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and third-party behavior towards unfair distribution.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Allan Kalungi, Jacqueline S. Womersley, Eugene Kinyanda, Moses L. Joloba, Wilber Ssembajjwe, Rebecca N. Nsubuga, Soraya Seedat, Sian M. J. Hemmings
Summary: The risk of developing IMDs is higher among HIV+ children and adolescents who experience severe acute stress, with chronic stress and 5-HTTLPR-rs25531 gene polymorphism independently moderating the association between acute stress and IMDs.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Leandra Kuhn, Hannes Noack, Nadine Skoluda, Lisa Wagels, Ann-Kristin Roehr, Christina Schulte, Sana Eisenkolb, Vanessa Nieratschker, Birgit Derntl, Ute Habel
Summary: The experience of stress is related to individual wellbeing and vulnerability to psychopathology. Understanding the determinants of individual differences in stress reactivity is of great concern from a clinical perspective. The functional promotor polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene is linked to acute stress response and adverse effects of life stressors.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
YingYing Zhang, Shuxia Yao, Helena Schmitt, Benjamin Becker, Keith M. Kendrick, Christian Montag
Summary: The study found that individuals carrying low expressing alleles (S, L-G) are more likely to exhibit higher autistic traits in both Chinese and German samples. Analysis of the positive correlation between autistic traits and IUD tendencies showed that this association is more pronounced in the German sample and can vary depending on 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotypes and cultural differences.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hsin-Yu Liu, Li-Ning Peng, Wei-Ju Lee, Ming-Yueh Chou, Chih-Kuang Liang, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Ming-Hsien Lin, Liang-Kung Chen
Summary: The study revealed a significant association between Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and all-cause mortality, with the impact of SVI being more pronounced in non-ApoE gene e4 carriers.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Massimo Santoro, Mariacristina Siotto, Marco Germanotta, Alessia Mastrorosa, Dionysia Papadopoulou, Irene Aprile
Summary: The study investigated the methylation profile of SLC6A4 in 50 patients with subacute stroke and concluded that 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and SLC6A4 promoter methylation could serve as potential biological markers for recovery in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. Significant changes in methylation levels were observed in specific CpG sites after rehabilitation, with a significant relationship found between LL, LS, and SS alleles and the outcome of rehabilitation interventions. Patients with LL and SS genotypes showed significant differences in favorable outcomes after rehabilitation.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pia Hollerbach, Sally Olderbak, Oliver Wilhelm, Christian Montag, Sonja Jung, Craig S. Neumann, Elmar Habermeyer, Andreas Mokros
Summary: Previous studies have linked polymorphisms of MAOA uVNTR and 5-HTTLPR to individual differences in psychopathic traits expression. However, psychopathy should not be treated as a unitary construct, but rather as having different variants or subtypes. The 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 haplotype is specifically associated with interpersonal deficits beyond the overarching psychopathy construct and plays a role in the manifestation of psychopathic traits.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Farzaneh Zareei, Toomas Veidebaum, Jaanus Harro
Summary: The interaction between family relationships and alcohol consumption in young people is related to the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) genotype, with family warmth having a negative correlation and maltreatment having a positive correlation. This association is strongest at age 15 and becomes weaker and statistically insignificant at age 18.
NEUROPSYCHOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Li Han, Zhenghe Yu, Hongjing Mao
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the association between the genotype of 5-HTTLPR and migraine combined with depression. No significant difference was found in 5-HTTLPR genotype and allele frequency between patients with migraine and depressive disorder and patients with simple migraine, indicating that 5-HTTLPR genotype may not play a role in the onset of migraine combined with depression.
JCPSP-JOURNAL OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS PAKISTAN
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Nienke H. van Dokkum, Marlou L. A. de Kroon, Sijmen A. Reijneveld, Arend F. Bos
Summary: The full range of neonatal stressors impacts the health and development of preterm infants, with negative associations found in clinical, laboratory, and imaging outcomes. However, evidence regarding growth, cardiovascular health, parent-infant interaction, neonatal immune system, and neonatal microbiome remains limited. Awareness of the profound impact of neonatal stress on preterm infants' health and development is crucial for physicians involved in their care.
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah Nazzari, Serena Grumi, Fabiana Mambretti, Marco Villa, Roberto Giorda, Livio Provenzi
Summary: This study observed the methylation status of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 genes in Italian mothers and infants exposed to COVID-19 lockdown during different stages of pregnancy. The findings revealed lower methylation of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 in mothers and infants exposed during the first trimester, which remained significant after controlling for confounders. Therefore, women and infants should be adequately monitored for psychological health during and after the pandemic.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caterina Schug, Eva Morawa, Franziska Geiser, Nina Hiebel, Petra Beschoner, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke, Christian Albus, Kerstin Weidner, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Andrea Borho, Marietta Lieb, Yesim Erim
Summary: The study found that social support and optimism were negatively associated with depression and generalized anxiety among healthcare workers, showing a stronger association than demographic or occupational risk factors such as female gender and direct contact with infected individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Caterina Schug, Yesim Erim, Franziska Geiser, Nina Hiebel, Petra Beschoner, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke, Christian Albus, Kerstin Weidner, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Andrea Borho, Marietta Lieb, Eva Morawa
Summary: The study found that the willingness of healthcare workers in Germany to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is influenced by various factors such as gender, age, family background, occupation, COVID-19 risk group, and mental health status. Increasing information about the disease and vaccination, especially for certain demographic groups, adequate protective measures, and prevention of depressive symptoms could enhance vaccination willingness among healthcare workers.
BUNDESGESUNDHEITSBLATT-GESUNDHEITSFORSCHUNG-GESUNDHEITSSCHUTZ
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julian Hannemann, Alan Abdalrahman, Yesim Erim, Eva Morawa, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke, Petra Beschoner, Franziska Geiser, Nina Hiebel, Kerstin Weidner, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Christian Albus
Summary: This rapid review summarizes the evidence on the specific interplay of pandemic burden and psychosocial resources with regard to the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that resilience, active and emotion-focused coping strategies, as well as social support, can be beneficial for protecting different aspects of mental health in HCWs. However, more high-quality longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal relationships.
Article
Psychiatry
Julia Frohberg, Antje Bittner, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Juliane Junge-Hoffmeister, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Kerstin Weidner
Summary: The study found that there is no direct link between child maltreatment and mother-infant bonding, but this link is mediated by postpartum psychopathology. Emotional abuse has the strongest effect on mother-infant bonding, while physical abuse has a negative impact. Further research should include observational data to validate the results of self-report measures.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruth Mokgokong, Renate Schnabel, Henning Witt, Robert Miller, Theodore C. Lee
Summary: This study validated a predictive model for atrial fibrillation originally developed in a German population, using real-world primary healthcare databases from countries in Europe and Australia. The model showed high accuracy in detecting unidentified incident AF cases. Differences in disease conditions were observed between AF patients and controls in various countries, despite varying AF prevalence rates. Risk prediction algorithms offer targeted ways to improve screening effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for AF detection in clinical practice.
Editorial Material
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Luisa Bergunde, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Nina Alexander, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE AND INFANT PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann, Rene Prime Noack, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Kerstin Weidner
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the stress response of patients with panic disorder and healthy controls to low intensity exercise (LIE), and to explore the association of this stress response with treatment outcomes. The results revealed that LIE led to an increase in heart rate, but a decrease in cortisol levels, particularly in male patients. This hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis might be associated with lower treatment outcomes.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marlene Karl, Vanessa Huth, Sarah Schaelicke, Corinna Mueller-Stark, Victoria Weise, Judith T. Mack, Clemens Kirschbaum, Kerstin Weidner, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Summary: This study found an association between maternal prenatal symptoms of depression and infants' neonatal hair cortisol levels. However, no association was observed between maternal postnatal symptoms of depression and infants' postnatal hair GCs. The results suggest that prenatal depression may contribute to dysregulated cortisol levels in infants, increasing their susceptibility to later diseases.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephanie Brym, Judith T. Mack, Victoria Weise, Marie Kopp, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Susan Garthus-Niegel
Summary: This study examined the impact of psychosocial work stress on depressive symptoms in working parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and found that resilience played a role in buffering the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
S. Steudte-Schmiedgen, S. Schaelicke, L. Bergunde, M. Karl, V. Weise, J. Junge-Hoffmeister, S. Schumacher, T. von Soest, K. Weidner, C. Kirschbaum, S. Garthus-Niegel
Summary: Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) is associated with maternal trauma history and long-term glucocorticoid (GC) levels, but these associations were not significant after correcting for multiple testing. Trauma history predicted higher CB-PTSD symptoms, but hair GC levels did not predict or mediate the relationship between trauma history and CB-PTSD symptoms. The subjective birth experience moderated the relationship between hair GC levels and CB-PTSD symptoms.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sabine Mogwitz, Christian Albus, Petra Beschoner, Yesim Erim, Franziska Geiser, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke, Eva Morawa, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann, Kerstin Weidner
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the mental distress and quality of life of outpatient care (POC) physicians compared to inpatient care (PIC) physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that POC physicians had higher levels of mental distress and lower quality of life during the second wave of the pandemic. Emotional and supportive human relations play a protective role in the mental health and well-being of POC physicians.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Isabel Jaramillo, Marlene Karl, Luisa Bergunde, Judith T. Mack, Victoria Weise, Kerstin Weidner, Wei Gao, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Susan Garthus-Niegel
Summary: This study investigated the association between negative childbirth experiences and long-term glucocorticoids, and found that a negative objective birth experience was associated with an increased HairF/HairE ratio, which may be a biomarker for identifying women at risk for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Subjective birth experience was not directly related to hair cortisol concentrations, but was a significant predictor for PPD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Luisa Bergunde, Marlene Karl, Sarah Schaelicke, Victoria Weise, Judith T. Mack, Tilmann von Soest, Wei Gao, Kerstin Weidner, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Summary: The study found that lifetime trauma and reduced maternal hair anandamide concentrations during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (CB-PTSS), particularly in the presence of negative subjective birth experience.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Petra Beschoner, Marc N. Jarczok, Maximilian Kempf, Katja Weimer, Franziska Geiser, Nina Hiebel, Yesim Erim, Eva Morawa, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Christian Albus, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
Summary: This study aimed to identify stress factors among MTA in Germany during the pandemic. The results showed that the pandemic has led to increased work stress for MTA, with staff shortages and extra work being major sources of stress, and work-life balance issues and contact with contaminated material/infected persons also contributing to stress.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOSOMATISCHE MEDIZIN UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Vera Clemens, Petra Beschoner, Marc N. Jarczok, Katja Weimer, Maximilian Kempf, Eva Morawa, Franziska Geiser, Christian Albus, Susan Steudte-Schmiedgen, Harald Guendel, J. M. Fegert, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
Summary: This study found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were associated with higher emotional exhaustion (EE) scores in healthcare professionals in Germany. An increasing number of experienced ACEs predicted higher EE scores, and COVID-19 associated problems played a significant mediating role between ACEs and EE.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2021)